Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

Here are some cooking safety tips to follow as you get ready for Thanksgiving:

• Keep your cooking area clean and clutter free.
• Be cautious of your surroundings
• Immediately turn off unused burners/appliances
• Never leave unattended cooking – this is the major cause of fires in the kitchen
• Keep children and pets away from  the cooking area by declaring a 3 foot “kid-free zone” around the cooking area
• Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic away from the cooking area
• Always use turkey fryers outside and a safe distance from the house and on a flat surface
• Make sure turkey is completely thawed
• Thaw a turkey approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight

Follow these tips and have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.